The weather in Nevada City is fabulous, why not take a hike? Independence Trail is 5.5 miles from downtown Nevada City off Highway 49. The trail twists and turns along the Excelsior Canal, where the gold rush era wooden flumes now provide the wheelchair accesible trail. Walk the mile to the waterfall, or take the steep trail down to Jones Bar and take a dip in the South Yuba River, options for all ages and levels.